[Support system for long-term morphine administration to terminal cancer patients at home--verification from three patients at home with terminal cancer].

The nursing department at the Saitama Prefectural Cancer Center established a Nursing Consultation Section in April 1993 and a Visiting Nursing Program in May 1993 with the purpose of supporting cancer patients who desired home care. From these dates through March 1994, 1,021 patients were instructed in home care methods and visiting nursing was provided in 98 cases. Of these, three patients with terminal cancer received long-term ameliorative treatment using orally administered morphine and were able to maintain satisfactory QOL through their terminal periods. The results are reported herein.